PRESS DIGEST-British Business - October 31

Oct 31 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the business pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

The Times

- Telecoms company Virgin Media O2, seals deal with Elon Musk's satellite company to tackle coverage blackspots so that users can send text messages and access the internet, where there is no mobile phone service.

The Guardian

- Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO has launched a surprise $9bn offer for the US obesity-focused biotech firm Metsera MTSR.O that could gazump an existing bid from PfizerPFE.N as the pharmaceutical giants fight for dominance in the weight-loss market

- The UK telecoms regulator has criticised O2 mobile operator for raising prices for millions of mobile phone customers by more than 70p per month from 2026.

The Telegraph

- UK chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering scrapping the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas companies in a dash for growth.

Sky News

- Virgin trains has cleared the first step in its plan to launch a rival Eurostar service. The company, owned by billionaire Sir Richard Branson, has been granted access to share Eurostar's Temple Mill international depot in east London.

The Independent

- Business Secretary Peter Kyle has pledged his support for British industries with an announcement of 420 million pounds ($563.68 million) energy savings, but declined to comment on whether they would face tax rises in the upcoming Budget.

($1 = 0.7451 pounds)